Yahoo News Legendary’s ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Follow-Up Finds New Director in Grant Sputore
Legendary’s Monsterverse has found a new master of disaster. The studio has tapped Grant Sputore to direct the next theatrical outing in the franchise following March’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Sputore came up from the world of commercials, and as a features director helmed the sci-fi movie I Am Mother, starring Hilary Swank. The film bowed at Sundance before hitting Netflix in 2019.
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The new Monstervese feature is described as a continuation of the franchise centering Godzilla, Kong and an assortment of other Titans. The script comes from prolific genre scribe Dave Callaham, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Sputore’s hiring follows news that Adam Wingard would not return after directing both the latest installment and Godzilla vs. Kong (2022). Upon the release of Godzilla x Kong, Wingard told The Hollywood Reporter he hoped to return for another film to complete a trilogy, but he ultimately moved on to the A24 feature Onslaught.
In challenging times at the box office with movies underperforming left and right, the Monsterverse has managed to stay robust. Godzilla vs. Kong managed to bring in an impressive $470 million worldwide amid pandemic challenges and a day-and-date release on HBO Max. March’s Godzilla x Kong has grossed more than $567.5 million worldwide. The Monsterverse kicked off with 2014’s Godzilla and has also included Skull Island (2017) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) for a combined $2.5 billion. It also spawned a TV show, Apple’s well-regarded Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
Sputore is repped by CAA, Navigation Media Group, and Jeff Hynick and Peter C. Sample at Jackoway Austen.
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